Union threatens FIFA with legal action over Qatar workers

FIFA may be sued by the Netherland's largest trade union for failing to demand labour reforms for workers in Qatar.

The footballing association was issued a legal letter by FNV, local Doha News reported, warning imminent action on behalf of a Bangladeshi who worked in the Gulf state.

"FIFA has three weeks to give Mr Alam his compensation and to improve the working conditions for the migrant workers in Qatar," an FNV spokesman told Doha News.

The trade union - which represents 1.1 million workers - said FIFA should have pressed on Qatar to meet "minimum human rights and labour standards" for workers when it was awarded hosting rights for the 2022 World Cup, adding that the association acted wrongfully and "violated the personality rights" of the trade union.

In a letter addressed to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, the trade union said: "The FNV brings this claim on behalf of thousands of male migrant workers in Qatar who are currently employed under dire circumstances as construction workers in connection with the World Cup in Qatar in 2022.

"The Plaintiff brings this suit in the interest of thousands of foreign workers who have to work in bad conditions in relation to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar."

Qatar has been widely criticised by international media and football associations over allegations of corruption during the World Cup bidding process.

But Doha has fought back against allegations of abuse and exploitation, saying it was beginning a raft of reforms aimed at improving working practices and employee safety.